What is “Woodsure” Ready to Burn?
The Woodsure “ready to burn” label shows firewood logs are ready for use as wood fuel, as they contain under 20% Moisture content. These logs burn more efficiently than unseasoned, green wood and reduces environmental impact.
Ready to burn firewood has a moisture content of 20% or less; using it in place of wet wood fuel is proven to reduce the levels of emissions in the air we breathe. This is better for your appliance and chimney and reduces maintenance and fuel costs.
Why Dry, Clean Wood?
Dry, ready to burn wood/logs & Briquettes make any appliance more efficient. Burning dry wood instead of wet wood is part of the solution to reducing the impact on our environment.Burning wet wood increases emissions and has a greater impact on air quality
Any appliance and chimney system will suffer from smoke produced from wet wood, which increases maintenance and repair requirements, making it harder for chimney sweeps to keep systems in safe, effective condition. Do not treat wested wood (e.g. old furniture) it can emit harmful fumes.
Small retail bags or nets of firewood could contain wet wood. Wet wood is not suitable for burning without further seasoning. Look out for retail bags of wood-fuel clearly labelled as “Ready to Burn” by a Woodsure Certified Supplier. This helps consumers to distinguish wood that is “Ready to Burn”from wet wood which needs to be seasoned for up to 2 years.
“Woodsure” Facts & Figures
Ready to burn logs give you more heat for each log
A 2kg unseasoned log with 50% moisture is half water, i.e. 1 litre of water. Burning wet wood means that much of the heat generated is used to boil off excess water leaving less heat to be passed to your room or to a water heating or central heating system.
Burning wet wood creates more smoke and emissions which are no good for those breathing them in. Appliances are generally dirtier when burning wet wood and you will have to buy and burn more wood to keep you warm.
Wet wood should be seasoned or dried for up to 2 years or kiln dried at a controlled temperature before use to get it to 20% moisture content or less.
More Information:
The Ready to Burn Official Site lists further benefits of switching to Ready to Burn wood fuel products.
Ready to Burn is a Woodsure scheme and www.woodsure.co.uk has a list of wood fuel producers who have achieved Ready to burn status